[rocomo1ca]

ok first off i know im asking for a big fight when i post this so please understand im just looking for info to help me along
im starting a 55 g cichlid tank and i want to know what you alll think i should but in it 5 10 20 cichlids and what kind i should start with
Africa only no south pls i will read all relys and take into count im only working with a 55 AT THIS TIME got to get the wife going befor i buy the 120 lol
so pls no fighting guys just good input

also if you have good fish for sale i might be interested
thanks
Rob

 

[Hydrocynus]

Well 55 is small they say. If your 55 is a 48" it would give that good length for swimming room. you can probably get away with 10 fully growb with good filtration. I use old Aquaclear 500 two of them or canister filter. You'd want to overfilter with Africans I use two one for mechanical filtration the other I use as a biofiltration. And atleast weekly water changes.

For stocking depends on your budget. And which type you want, breeding or all male or just species only? . There are mbunas which should fit on your 55. alounocara/ peacocks but 55 might get some aggression and mainly piscivores.price for these fish get expensive as well when they are adult size, male and full on colour. There are smaller Haps that can fit in a 55 . f you want good stock go a reputable breeder, lfs that can order from a a good supplier. Mbunas which are vegetarians are already coloured up at the 1.5" mark so on a good diet and breed they should stay that colour. I like the "yellow labs" go with ones that have black dorsal, pelvic and [email protected] fins if you can find them they should be bright yellow. They are more tamed than other mbunas.

Mbunas are a rowdy group. Always entertaining to see them interact though. Watch of for inbreeding if you are getting several different kinds with females mixed in. Surely don't want hybrids going back into already hybridized hobby and that's another rant for another thread.

So first thing to do is look at pictures of cichlids and choose which one you like and research that one. For its diet, temperment, adult size and tank size requirement.

 

[cpat83]

Probably best to look at Mbuna for this tank as I believe you could stock around 20-25 depending on size, and of course if you over-filtrate + provide ample oxygen.

I have a 120, which I run 3x Rena XP3.

I have found most Mbuna on my list to be hard to find locally, aside from the more popular ones, which still do make for a very nice tank.

 

[joeyk]

I filled my 55g with a group of 20 juvenile Tropheus duboisi about a month ago. So far, it's definitely the most entertaining species I've owned, and I've already got the stock I want when I upgrade to a bigger tank.

If you wanted a more community tank route, a tanganyikan community tank could be a nice fit. A species of shell dwellers, a species of rock dweller (ie julidochromis), an open water species like cyps or paracyps, and maybe even a small group of synodontis (if you don't want fry) would be a good place to start.

A tank of that size could handle a pretty decent size mbuna colony too. Maybe a species like saulosi, as both the males/females get some good colour

 

[DwightIris]

Good morningHydrocynus,
This is Dwightiris, & I'm just getting back into the Africans again after a 10+ yr. absence.
Looking at Malawai's in my current 90.
I live in the south surrey area, can you suggest any good fish suppliers etc?
Thanks,
Dwight

 

[cgjedi]

Check out Fish Addicts by Willowbrook. He specializes in all cichlids and his selection is excellent. He's also very helpful.

 

[DwightIris]

Thanks, went by yesterday & very into the Africans.

 

[Just-Koi]

You could get a nice mix of Tanganyikans in that tank as mentioned above. Calvus are very cool as well as compresiceps with some shell dwellers and maybe some orange neolamprologus for colour or gobies etc....... Tangs are very interesting and have some cool personalities but lack a little on the colour side. Malawi have tons of colour but are not that interesting to watch after awhile in regards to personality. Both great fish respectively.... you just need to know which way you want to go. both will need a high PH of around 8 and will need to have their water buffered . Seachem makes great additives for both and are easy to use. Have fun....

 

[VElderton]

You can have quite a good variety in a 55 with Africans.

You have some great suggestions - definitely high filtration with regular water changes. My rule of thumb is 10 x tank volume and that really has been a good formula for me. I have added Biohome (from AngelFins) and Hydroton (Jon's Plant Factory) media for few months now for Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate control had good results. SeaChem and Kent Malawi Salt additives are what I have used with good success. CaribSea bioactive and crushed coral substrate. That combination works real well in the few tanks about the same size for space reasons. I also find circulation pumps really help in tanks without the swimming room of longer tanks. Often I use two to create a flow in the tanks and find Hap sp. just like swimming in the current. I just set-up a friend's 60 with around that number fish, mostly Mbuna and small group OB Peacocks and he's really enjoying it and the fish must too because they are already spawning.

I am working on a Tanganyikan community just a little bigger now so I agree with that suggestion.

FYI: If you are looking for some Yellow Labs to start you off. I have some nice juveniles right now that you could build a breeding group with. I have some other species but they are too young now. Mine have the black dorsal and pectoral fins. As suggested Eric at Fish Addicts definitely has the best commercial selection of Africans - no question.

 

[engotski]

+1 for a Tanganyika tank.
Dwarf mbunas are very cool and would be fine in 55g.
Peacocks can work if you chose the less aggressive types like sulfur head, blue orchid, sunshine, etc...I wouldnt house more than 10-12 in a 55g.

good luck

 

[rocomo1ca]

thanks to everyone for there input i have gone with mbunas and have had great luck so far I have 6 in total right now
but looking for more If you live in or around Chilliwack and want to sell some fish pls let me know
im only looking for young Juveniles right now
Thanks again

 

[robertcruz]

Actually the amount of cichlids totally depends on gender. I have 16 cichlids in my 55 g aquarium.

 

[Bigpoppa1980]

I have about 60 Africans in a 4ft 55 gal mixed malawi tanganiyka and lake Victoria but key is over filter and purigen

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